The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Iran war reverberations: A nadir for Asia’s economic security
English Summary
The Iran conflict has exposed Asia's economic security to extreme vulnerability, primarily due to over-reliance on critical maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. This acute risk is compounded by a lack of great power stabilization, as major powers weaponize economic vulnerabilities rather than ensuring open trade routes. To mitigate the threat of stagflation and supply shocks, Asian nations must pivot toward collective resilience initiatives. Policy strategies should focus on establishing joint strategic reserves, expanding cross-border energy grids, and deepening regional cooperation to manage dependencies and stabilize critical commodity flows.
中文摘要
伊朗衝突凸顯了亞洲經濟安全面臨的極度脆弱性，主要根源是過度依賴霍爾木茲海峽等關鍵海上要衝。這種嚴峻風險因缺乏大國穩定機制而加劇，因為主要大國傾向將經濟弱點武器化，而非確保開放貿易航道。為緩解滯脹和供應衝擊的威脅，亞洲國家必須轉向推動集體韌性倡議。政策策略應著重建立聯合戰略儲備、擴展跨境能源電網，並深化區域合作，以管理經濟依賴性並穩定關鍵商品的流動。
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